CBI arrests Manish Sisodia's ex-aide; Delhi deputy CM hails move

In a late night development, on Thursday (February 6),  in the national capital, Gopal Krishna Gandhi, the former Officer on Special Duty (OSD) of Delhi’s deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was arrested, by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), on charges of bribery.

Coming less than two days ahead of the Delhi polls, the arrest led to charges and counter charges between the BJP and the Aam Admi Party (AAP). While the saffron party alleged that the bribe amount was meant for Sisodia, the deputy CM rejected it outright by patting the CBI and demanding strict action against Madhav.

In a tweet in Hindi, Sisodia said, “I came to know that the CBI has arrested a GST inspector for taking a bribe. This officer was earlier posted as an OSD in my office. The CBI should get him the strictest punishment, immediately. I have got several such corrupt officials caught in the last five years,” he said.

According to NDTV, Sisodia was quoted as saying “what CBI did is right.”

मुझे पता चला है कि सीबीआई ने एक GST इन्स्पेक्टर को रिश्वत लेते हुए गिरफ़्तार किया है. यह अधिकारी मेरे ऑफ़िस में बतौर OSD भी तैनात था. सीबीआई को उसे तुरंत सख़्त से सख़्त सजा दिलानी चाहिए. ऐसे कई भ्रष्टाचारी अधिकारी मैंने ख़ुद पिछले 5 साल में पकड़वाए है.

— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) February 7, 2020

Madhav was taken into custody for allegedly taking a bribe of over ₹2 lakh in a matter related to the Goods and Services Tax (GST), officials said. He was posted in Sisodia’s office in 2015, according to CBI officials.

(With inputs from agencies)